Introducing new GRS-S President

Tony Milne is currently a Visiting Professor of Geography and Remote Sensing in the School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences at the University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia and Remote Sensing Science Manager in the Australian Government sponsored Cooperative Research Centre for Spatial Information. He is also a Co-Director of Horizon Geoscience Consulting Pty.Ltd founded in 1992.

In his previous role as Director of the Centre for Remote Sensing and GIS at the University of New South Wales he was responsible for leading a team of multi-disciplinary researchers with interests in environmental and coastal monitoring, hydrology and wetland analysis, forest assessment, data fusion, image processing, arid land and geological applications, GIS integration, mapping and radar modelling.

Professor Milne has been a Principal Investigator in international research programs including : the SIR-B and SIR-C radar missions, AIRSAR, ERS-1 and ERS-2, ENVISAT, JERS-1, ALOS PALSAR and MOMS and was Co-Chairman of the three NASA-sponsored AIRSAR PACRIM missions to Australia, South East Asia and the Pacific between 1994 and 2000 involving 18 countries. In this role he was responsible for government and sponsor negotiations, overall project management and supervision with the countries involved. He is currently a member of the Science Team for the Japanese Space Agency’s ALOS Kyoto and Carbon Initiative research program.

His research interests lie in radar remote sensing, vegetation assessment and the mapping of wetlands.

NASA Sets Briefings for Hubble Space Telescope Shuttle Mission 28 July 2008

NASA will hold a series of news media briefings Sept. 8 - 9 to preview the space shuttle's fifth and final servicing mission to the Hubble Space Telescope.
For more information, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/home/hqnews/2008/jul/HQ_M08138_HST_briefings.html

NASA Satellites Discover What Powers Northern Lights 24 July 2008

Researchers using a fleet of five NASA satellites have discovered that explosions of magnetic energy a third of the way to the moon power substorms that cause sudden brightenings and rapid movements of the aurora borealis, called the Northern Lights.
For more information, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/home/hqnews/2008/jul/HQ_08185_THEMIS.html

Heads of Agency International Space Station Joint Statement 17 July 2008

The heads of the International Space Station agencies from Canada, Europe, Japan, Russia and the United States met at European Space Agency Headquarters in Paris on July 17, 2008.
For more information, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/home/hqnews/2008/jul/HQ_08178_HOA_Joint_Statement.html

NASA Responds to California Wildfire Emergency Imaging Request 11 July 2008

A remotely piloted aircraft carrying a NASA sensor flew over much of California earlier this week, gathering information that will be used to help fight more than 300 wildfires burning within the state.
For more information, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/home/hqnews/2008/jul/HQ_08172_Wildfire_flights.html

Ocean Wind Power Maps Reveal Possible Wind Energy Sources 9 July 2008

Efforts to harness the energy potential of Earth's ocean winds could soon gain an important new tool: global satellite maps from NASA.
For more information, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/topics/earth/features/quikscat-20080709.html

GOCE begins its journey to launch site 29 July 2008

GOCE, the first of a series of Earth Explorer satellites to be launched into orbit, has taken off aboard an Antonov-124 cargo aircraft for its flight to the Arkhangelsk Airport in Russia, en route to Russia's Plesetsk Cosmodrome, about 800 km north of Moscow.
For more information, visit: http://www.esa.int/esaCP/SEM91QXIPIF_index_0.html

Announcement of opportunity for second flight of Vega small launcher in mid-2010 25 July 2008

On Friday 25 July, ESA announced an opportunity to embark payloads on the second flight of the Vega small launcher planned for mid 2010. This will be the first of five flights that are planned to demonstrate Vega's versatility to the space community.
For more information, visit: http://www.esa.int/esaCP/SEM3MKXIPIF_index_0.html

COROT finds exoplanet orbiting Sun-like star 24 July 2008

A team of European scientists working with COROT have discovered an exoplanet orbiting a star slightly more massive than the Sun. After just 555 days in orbit, the mission has now observed more than 50.000 stars and is adding significantly to our knowledge of the fundamental workings of stars.
For more information, visit: http://www.esa.int/esaCP/SEMSIFXIPIF_index_0.html

Mars Express to rendezvous with Martian moon 16 July 2008

Scientists and engineers are preparing ESA's Mars Express for several close fly-bys of the Martian moon Phobos. Passing within 100 km of the surface, Mars Express will conduct some of the most detailed investigations of the moon to date.
For more information, visit: http://www.esa.int/esaCP/SEMVGAWIPIF_index_0.html

ESA launches programme in support of Earth observation science 15 July 2008

Since the advent of Earth observation from space, satellite missions have become central to monitoring and learning about how the Earth works, resulting in significant progress in a broad range of scientific areas.
For more information, visit: http://www.esa.int/esaCP/SEMPK1THKHF_index_0.html

NASA Tests Lunar Robots and Spacesuits on Earthly Moonscape 13 June 2008

Conditions on the moon will be harsher, but prototype NASA robotic vehicles braved sand storms and unprecedented temperature swings this month on sand dunes near Moses Lake, Wash., to prepare for future lunar expeditions.
For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/home/hqnews/2008/jun/HQ_08149_Moses_Lake.html

Kennedy Space Center Has Launched “Kibo (Hope)” 11 June 2008

JAXA's astronaut Akihiko Hoshide was launched from here aboard the second flight mission of the Japanese Experiment Module (JEM) "Kibo (Hope)" on May 31, 2008 (UT).
For more information, visit http://www.eorc.jaxa.jp/en/imgdata/topics/2008/tp080611.html

Space Shuttle Discovery Set to Land Saturday 6 June 2008

The space shuttle Discovery crew is expected to complete its 14-day flight to the International Space Station with a landing at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida at 11:15 a.m. EDT on Saturday, June 14.
For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/home/hqnews/2008/jun/HQ_M08118_STS-124_Landing.html

Ulysses, the end of an extraordinary mission 4 June 2008

After more than 17 years relentlessly exploring the effects of solar activity on the space that surrounds us, the Ulysses mission is now approaching its end. Representatives of the media are invited to a joint ESA/NASA press conference on 12 June 2008 taking place at ESA Headquarters in Paris, France, to hear about the achievements that will form the Ulysses legacy.
For more information, visit http://www.esa.int/esaCP/Pr_29_2008_p_EN.html

Satellites Illuminate Pollution's Influence On Clouds 27 May 2008

Clouds serve a valuable role in Earth's climate, and thanks to A-Train, a closer look at them is possible.
For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/topics/earth/features/atrain_climate.html

EarthCARE satellite contract signed 27 May 2008

The European Space Agency and Astrium GmbH have today signed a contract worth €263m to provide the EarthCARE satellite, the sixth Earth Explorer mission of ESA’s Living Planet Programme. As prime contractor, Astrium GmbH is responsible for the satellite’s design, development and integration.
For more information, visit http://www.esa.int/esaCP/SEMMBQ1YUFF_index_0.html

Berlin Air Show ILA2008: space showcased all under one roof 15 May 2008

As it does every two years, Berlin will soon be showcasing European and international space activities at the ILA2008 Air Show from Tuesday 27 May to Sunday 1 June. In Hall 9, an International Space Village spanning over 2500m2 will be exclusively devoted to space, presenting the entire range of activities, products and services available in Europe and elsewhere.
For more information, visit http://www.esa.int/esaCP/Pr_27_2008_p_EN.html

OSTM/Jason-2

The launch of OSTM/Jason-2 aboard a Delta II rocket from NASA's Space Launch Complex 2 is scheduled for June 15, 2008, at 1:47 a.m. PDT. The mission's goal is to increase understanding of ocean circulation and improve climate forecasts and measurements of global sea-level change. NASA is cooperating with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, France's Centre National d'Etudes Spatiales and the European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites on the mission.
For more information, visit http://sealevel.jpl.nasa.gov/mission/ostm.html

NASA Awards Contract For Ares I Mobile Launcher

9 May 2008. NASA's Kennedy Space Center has awarded a contract to Hensel Phelps of Orlando, Fla., for the construction of the Ares I mobile launcher for the Constellation Program. Ares I is the rocket that will transport the Orion crew exploration vehicle, its crew and cargo to low Earth orbit.
For more information , visit: http://www.space-travel.com/reports/NASA_Awards_Contract_For_Ares_I_Mobile_Launcher_999.html

NASA and JAXA to conduct joint research on Sonic Boom Modeling.

9 May 2008. The U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) intend to conduct joint research on Sonic Boom Modeling. Sonic Boom Modeling is one of the key technologies needed to enable a next generation supersonic aircraft quiet enough that it can fly supersonically over land without significant disturbance to the public. Such a vehicle also could connect Los Angeles and Tokyo in about 5 hours, flying at Mach 2.
For more information, visit: http://www.jaxa.jp/press/2008/05/20080509_sonic_e.html

Joint ESA/NASA team wins international award

8 May 2008 The Ulysses mission operations team has won an international award in recognition of their outstanding contributions to the success and scientific productivity of the joint ESA/NASA observatory mission, now orbiting the poles of the Sun.
For more information, visit: http://www.esa.int/esaCP/SEMRWNZXUFF_index_0.html

GIOVE-B transmitting its first signals

7 May 2008 Following a successful launch on 27 April, GIOVE-B began transmitting the GPS-Galileo common signal using a specirfic optimised waveform.
For more information, visit: http://www.esa.int/esaCP/SEMGVUZXUFF_index_0.html

NASA to Announce Success of Long Galactic Hunt

7 May 2008 WASHINGTON -- NASA has scheduled a media teleconference Wednesday, May 14, at 1 p.m. EDT, to announce the discovery of an object in our Galaxy astronomers have been hunting for more than 50 years. This finding was made by combining data from NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory with ground-based observations.
Live audio of the teleconference will be streamed online at: http://www.nasa.gov/newsaudio

ESA's most advanced navigation satellite launched tonight

27 April 2008. A further step towards the deployment of Europe's Galileo global navigation satellite system was taken tonight, with the successful launch of ESA's second Galileo In-Orbit Validation Element (GIOVE-B) satellite.
For more information, visit: http://www.esa.int/esaCP/SEM9GD2QGFF_index_0.html

GMES Sentinel-2 satellite contract signed

17 April 2008. The European Space Agency and Astrium today signed a Û195 million contract to provide the first Sentinel-2 earth observation satellite, devoted to monitoring the land environment, as part of the European GMES programme.
For more information, visit: http://www.esa.int/esaCP/SEMH574XQEF_index_0.html

Gravity Anomaly detected by using 4-way Doppler observation data from the RSTAR (OKINA) (RSAT) New finding in study on the Origin of Dichotomy for the Moon-

16 April 2008. JAXA announced a new finding of a gravity anomaly for both the near side and far side of the Moon by using 4-way Doppler observation data from the RSTAR (OKINA) with the main orbiter, the KAGUYA.
For more information, visit: http://www.jaxa.jp/press/2008/04/20080416_kaguya_e.html

Contract signed for ESA’s Sentinel-3 Earth Observation satellite

14 April 2008. The European Space Agency and Thales Alenia Space today signed a Û305 million contract to provide the first Sentinel-3 earth observation satellite, devoted to oceanography and land-vegetation monitoring, as part of the European GMES programme. As prime contractor, Thales Alenia Space is responsible for the satellite’s design, development and integration.
For more information, visit: http://www.esa.int/esaCP/SEMYZS3XQEF_index_0.html

9 April 2008 - NASA is preparing to send a small spacecraft to the Moon in 2011

To assess the lunar atmosphere and the nature of dust lofted above the surface.
For more information: http://www.nasa.gov/home/hqnews/2008/apr/HQ_08095_LADEE.html

8 April 2008 ASRC Management Services and USDA Discuss Resourcesat Future Sensor Needs with ISRO Chairman Nair

The Chairman of the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO), Mr. Madhavan Nair invited executives from the ASRC Management Services Team (ASRC MS), and the USDA Foreign Agricultural Services (USDA FAS) Remote Sensing Coordinating Committee Team Members to provide their input and recommendations regarding the “future sensor needs of the IRS Satellite Constellation” for agricultural and environmental applications.
For more information: http://www.directionsmag.com/press.releases/index.php?duty=Show&id=22013

3 April 2008 Europe’s automated ship docks to the ISS

The ATV Jules Verne, European Space Agency’s first resupply and reboost vehicle, has successfully performed a fully automated docking with the International Space Station (ISS).
For more information: http://www.esa.int/esaCP/SEMORO5QGEF_index_0.html

Call for nominations for the GRS-S Administrative Committee

Existing AdCom members, Conference chairs, representatives, or committee chairs who wish to be considered for election or re-election to the AdCom should contact the Nominations Committee Chair, Charles A. Luther (chuckluther@aol.com) and provide by 1 May, 2008 biographical material in a form similar to that used for authors for TGARS publications (1 page or less). AdCom terms will be for three years, commencing 1 January 2009.
Flyer

The first ATV to be launched on Sunday 9th of March

The European Space Agency is launching this weekend the first ATV (Automated Transfer Vehicle) to the ISS. This automated vehicle will be the first ever built by Europe to carry cargo to and from the International Space Station. At least one BAIE member is participating in the ATV program, an important milestone in the European space strategy.

The launch is scheduled for Sunday the 9th @05:03 Central European Time from Kourou, in the French Guyana. The ATV will be carried on an adapted Ariane 5 ES, since its weight (around 20 tonnes) is more than twice the weight of any previous payload launched with an Ariane 5.

The GALILEO Program moves forward with the GIOVE-B launch

The scheduling of the launch of GIOVE-B, planned for next 28th of April, marks the moving forward of GALILEO after some serious difficulties encountered by the Program since last year.

It is a very important milestone that was announced last Wednesday by representatives of the European Space Agency and of the European Commission at ESA/ESTEC in Noordwijk.

ESA’s new scientific heart inaugurated by Spanish royalty

February 7, 2008
ESA PR 06-2008. Their Royal Highnesses The Prince and Princess of Asturias inaugurated this afternoon ESA's European Space Astronomy Centre (ESAC), located on the outskirts of Madrid, Spain.
For more information please log on:
http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/ESAC/SEMT2KPR4CF_0.html

Columbus attached to ISS

February 13, 2008
The European Columbus laboratory has completed its voyage to the International Space Station. Columbus was officially attached to the right side of the Harmony module at 22:44 CET on Monday 11 February.
For more information and pictures log on: http://www.esa.int/esaCP/SEM3ZPUHJCF_index_0.html

Columbus to launch today

The European Columbus laboratory is scheduled to launch on board Space Shuttle Atlantis on February 7th. The STS-122 mission to the International Space Station is due to lift-off from NASA's Kennedy Space Center at 20:45 CET (19:45 UT) - follow the launch live on NASA TV http://www.nasa.gov/ntv and in ESA's Columbus Blog http://www.esa.int/blog

Atlantis launch carrying European COLUMBUS laboratory postponed until January 2nd

Teams of technicians will spend the weekend working on foam insulation applied to small sections of space shuttle Atlantis’ external fuel tank and making standard launch preparations at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

Some foam was removed from around an external wiring connector on the tank so technicians could replace it with a modified connector, which is part of the tank’s low fuel-level engine cutoff sensor system. Problems with the system lead to two launch delays for Atlantis in December. All the foam work is expected to be finished on Jan. 24.

Read more here.

Ministerial summit on ‘Global Earth Observation System of Systems’, 28 November 2007:

A new global Earth observation system, that could save lives in disasters such as the recent cyclone in southern Bangladash, is being reviewed at a ministerial-level summit in Cape Town this week.

Read more here.

SMOS shaked again December 10th, 2007

In preparation for launch next year, SMOS is undergoing its final vibration test at Thales Alenia Space in Cannes, France. "Vibration tests again?", followers of SMOS might ask. True, but this time the payload and platform are being put through their paces together as the integrated satellite.

Read more here.

GRSS Private Sector Newsletter, No. 8

** Remote Sensing News for and About the Private Sector ** The Quarterly Newsletter of the IEEE-GRSS Private Sector Liaison Group

• IN THIS ISSUE - December 19, 2007 - Issue #8
• 1. REMOTE SENSING: VISUALIZATION OR INFORMATION? - brief editorial
• 2. IGARSS 2008 - Boston!
• 3. PUBLIC VS PRIVATE FINANCING OF REMOTE SENSING - the need for both
• 4. LANDSAT PROGRESS - slow but meaningful
• 5. DO YOUR PHOTONS BELONG TO YOU? - privacy, secrecy, and ownership
• 6. OPERATIONAL REMOTE SENSING BEYOND WEATHER - looking to the future
• 7. OTHER BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES - don't lose out
• 8. COMPANY NEWS - what companies are up to
• 9. EVENTS - upcoming conferences, meetings, and events
• 10. PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS - more information, by organization

Click here to read more Private Sector Newsletters

IEEE 2008 Water Availability Study

The Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE), in cooperation with the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), has commissioned a study of global fresh water resources. The study will take place in calendar year 2008 and will focus on the following general topics of:

• Water quality & health
• Water availability and discovery
• Water use & efficiency

A goal of the study is to provide a view of the problems, science and engineering challenges, and opportunities in providing fresh water resources to regional and global populations with an objective of defining and addressing coordinated pilot programs. The study will be international in scope and coordinated by the IEEE Committee on Earth Observations (ICEO), which is the primary IEEE entity that provides an interface between the Institute and the Group on Earth Observations (GEO). The time frame for the study is CY2008.

• Al Gasiewski - Al.gasiewski@colorado.edu
• Gary Foley - Foley.Gary@epamail.epa.gov
• Ellsworth LeDrew - Ells@watleo.uwaterloo.ca
• John Lyons - Lyon.Johng@epamail.epa.gov
• Jay Pearlman - Jay.pearlman@boeing.com

Posted December 12, 2008 at the AGU Fall 2007 Meeting

IEEE Seeking New Initiatives Proposals

The New Initiatives Committee (NIC) is now seeking proposals for IEEE New Initiatives as part of its two new programs: Rolling Submissions and Seed Grants. The NIC encourages wide dissemination of the program guidelines across the enterprise, and the NIC looks forward to receiving promising proposals. The committee will be meeting monthly, beginning in August, to review proposals. There is money available for the immediate funding of proposals approved during the balance of the 2007 fiscal year. Details of the new programs and the forms associated with them can be found on the IEEE New Initiatives web page located at http://www.ieee.org/web/aboutus/initiatives/index.html

There are two types of programs:

1. Rolling Submissions. The Rolling Submissions process (RSP) accepts proposals at any point in time with a decision to fund being rendered, in most instances, within 90 days of submission. Minimum funding requirement for RSP initiatives is US $100,000 all of which should be expended during the first 12 months of the initiative. A brief project proposal form, which outlines the project, how it supports IEEE's strategic direction, estimated funding required and the project's goals and desired outcomes, is required. If this short proposal is supported by the NIC, the project leader will be asked to develop a full project plan for approval by the NIC.
2. Seed Grants. The Seed Grant process (SGP) is designed to encourage any individual or group in the IEEE to innovate and be creative in the development of new programs, services, or activities that have the potential to move IEEE towards achieving its strategic objectives. Seed grants proposals may request up to US $25,000. Decisions on Seed Grants are made by the NIC within 45 days, and funding is immediate. If approved, these projects must be completed within one year.

Completed proposals should be submitted by email to "newinitiatives@ieee.org". Questions regarding any aspect of the New Initiatives program should be directed to Lew Terman ("l.terman@ieee.org" ), John Keaton ("j.c.keaton@ieee.org") or Matt Loeb ("m.loeb@ieee.org" ).

Alberto Moreira, Imaging Radar Expert, to Receive IEEE Award

PISCATAWAY, N.J. (9 July 2007) - The IEEE has named Alberto Moreira as the recipient of its 2007 Kiyo Tomiyasu Award, for the development of synthetic aperture radar concepts. His work has contributed to the design of high-resolution airborne and spaceborne imaging radar systems with enhanced capabilities for environmental, disaster monitoring and security applications. The IEEE is the world's leading professional association for the advancement of technology. Sponsored by the Kiyo Tomiyasu Fund, the award recognizes outstanding early- to mid-career contributions to technologies holding the promise of innovative applications. It will be presented to Moreira at the 2007 IEEE International Geoscience and Remote Sensing Symposium (IGARSS 2007) in Barcelona, Spain, on 25 July.

Moreira is director of the Microwaves and Radar Institute at the German Aerospace Center (DLR) in Oberpfaffenhofen, Germany, and professor of microwave remote sensing at the University of Karlsruhe, Germany. He has played an important role in the field of imaging radar technology and applications, and is considered a leader in the development of new concepts in high-resolution radar processing, image formation and interferometric techniques for three-dimensional mapping of the earth's surface. Among his many contributions, his most notable accomplishment has been the development of innovative Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) system concepts with polarimetric and interferometric capabilities. He also pioneered research on associated techniques like radar tomography, digital beamforming and advanced imaging modes.

SAR systems allow high-resolution, all-weather, day-and-night imaging of the earth's surface. Since SAR is the only space-borne sensor with these capabilities, constellations of SAR satellites are today being deployed to provide global access and coverage for applications including environmental remote sensing, hazard and disaster monitoring as well as reconnaissance and those relating to security. In addition, low-frequency radar waves penetrate into vegetation, dry soil, snow and ice, allowing to obtain information about the inner part of these areas.

The products of Moreira's research have been used extensively by the German and European Space programs, and he has managed many European Space Agency studies. He holds 14 patents in the fields of SAR processing, advanced radar concepts and phased array antennas, and has participated in several space-borne SAR projects. He developed an innovative forward-looking radar system for enhanced vision, including a demonstration prototype of a new radar concept with digital beamforming. This concept is being adopted today for the development of future spaceborne SAR systems.

Moreira is an IEEE Fellow and is the recipient of the IEEE Fred Nathanson Memorial Award for the "Young Engineer of the Year" and of the NASA Certificate for outstanding contribution to the success of the Shuttle imaging radar mission SIR-C/X-SAR. Moreira has bachelor and master degrees from the Technological Institute of Aeronautics, Sao Jose de Campos, Brazil, and master and doctoral degrees from the Technical University of Munich, Germany.

AdCom Meeting Presentation

Chapters are an important part of GRSS and the GRSS leadership looks to the chapters as a part of the professional support network. Dr. Diane Evans, who is the focal point in GRSS for Chapters, gave a presentation and overview of the chapters around the globe. Click here to see her briefing.

Updates

GRSS is continuing to implement its strategic plan to provide more and improved service to our members. The GRSS AdCom approved a new organization which now includes a Vice President for Information Resources. This change recognizes the increased importance of electronic communication and resources for our members, such as the updated web, the tutorials, the forums and other features. We will also put increased emphasis on education including introducing new training materials. The new Vice President is Dr. Jay Pearlman. In assuming this new role, Dr. Pearlman has resigned as webmaster. We would like to thank him and his support team for the innovations that have occurred in this web site during his tenure as webmaster.

Prof Adriano Camps has accepted the position of Webmaster for GRSS. Prof Camps bring a strong background in communication developed, in part, as editor of the GRSS Newsletter. He is committed to continuing the evolution of the website and to adding new features for our members. We welcome Prof. Adriano Camps to his new position.

Remote Sensing News for and About the Private Sector

The Quarterly Newsletter of the IEEE-GRSS Private Sector Liaison Group. IN THIS ISSUE – May 19, 2007 Issue #7

Put Your IEEE Membership to Work

IEEE-USA Employment Navigator - Collects some 5 million job leads from 170,000 Web sites and presents them in a single, searchable database. Click Here to learn more.

Contribute to the GRSS What's New Section

Please help us to keep this page as comprehensive as possible. If you have a What's New item please email the information to Jay Pearlman for consideration.